The Power of Gentle Hearts

Introduction:

We are on the second to last fruit. Like I said last week, you are going to really see these fruits of the Spirit intertwine.

I know it’s been two weeks… But does anyone remember the last fruit? Faithfulness

Can anyone share one example of how God is faithful?

A: Salvation, Forgiveness, Temptation or Trials, Contentment

This week: Gentleness

Let’s start out with Nora reading our main passage:

Galatians 5:22–25 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Greek:

Gentleness or prautēs is defined: “the quality of not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance, gentleness, humility, courtesy, considerateness, meekness.”

When understanding gentleness, can someone name an antonym or something gentleness contrasts with?

A: Harshness, rude behavior

Now, when researching this Greek word, I expected humility and meekness, or not harsh. But the first phrase, I had no idea that’s what it was going to be & had to think for a second. To fully understand what this word means when looking at it in other places in the Bible, I want us to fully understand and have a foundation. So when it starts out by saying:

“the quality of not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance”

But then it made sense; when someone is harsh or rude, or even raising one’s voice, it is valuing yourself over the person receiving your words.

For example, I’m talking to Malachi/Bennett and tell them I hate the Eagles. Their response is just mean and awful. They start yelling at me, they insult me, make fun of my hairline, just the worst things possible.

In that example, Malachi/Bennett is being overly impressed or caring too much about themselves, and making it known how they disliked my comment, rather than actually caring about the person receiving their harshness. Does that make sense?

Now that we have an understanding of what Gentleness is, let us look a example where we see God’s gentleness in Scripture:

God’s Gentleness

Passage about God’s Gentleness:

Matthew 11:25–30 ESV

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Again, a well-known passage of Scripture. But as I’ve stated for weeks now and even Pastor Steve said it last week, let us still value the truths within the passages we’ve heard countless of times.

Starting at Verse 25, let’s understand context within this passage to understand the main verse, which is verse 29.

Jesus starts out thanking the Father, declaring Him above everything. Then we read the statement, “that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children.”

We see this within the New Testament and even referenced a couple weeks ago, that God uses the weak & lowly things of this world to shame the wise, which ensures that we have no boasting, as God is Supreme Ruler of the universe.

For the context of this passage, the “wise and understanding” is targeted to the Jewish leaders claiming to be wise and prudent. For they know the law so well and kept it to a tee, yet Jesus in other passages calls them hypocrites, vipers, and white-washed tombs, clean on the outside, but death dwells inside.

In Verse 26, Jesus confirms the Father’s gracious or kindness, to lift up the lowly, rather than the people of understanding, and this was a showing of God’s sovereignty.

Verse 27, Jesus is equating Himself to the Father. For everything has been handed over to Jesus, and to those who know the Father, are the ones the Son chooses to reveal Himself too, who are His children.

Verse 28, we see Jesus’ character; Jesus gives a call, to the people who are not filled with knowledge & esteem themselves, but the ones who acknowledge their vain labor and people who are burdened. For these people that Jesus talks about, are the people Matthew previously described in Matthew 5:6

Matthew 5:6 ESV

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

For those who try and try to make themselves righteous are just on a endless hamster wheel. The more they try, and the more they spin, never getting them anywhere. But those who hunger and thirst for the righteousness of Christ, they shall be truly satisfied. Those who set their affections to the world, set no importance or value on a Heavenly life. For those with the burden of the law, which was impossible to keep, especially with the added traditions by the Jewish leaders, Christ satisfies and brings them rest.

But this does not end here. You don’t just come to Christ, He satisfies you, and you continue to be bound in sin.

Rather we read in Verse 29, “take my yoke upon you.”

Does anyone know what a yoke is? See picture below:

a yoke is a “frame used to control working animals or in the case of humans to expedite the bearing of burdens.”

So to breakdown what Jesus is picturing:

Come be bound to Me; the law will just weigh you down and be more burdensome the more you try. Stop having the constant pressure to earn righteousness through effort.

Rather, be harnessed to Christ, walking beside Him, learning from Him.

Christ bears the heavier load & guides your steps.

So when you “take my yoke upon you”, Jesus then gives a command: “learn from Me”

Learn what?

“For I (Jesus) am gentle and lowly in heart…”

This is a direct call to find peace in gentleness. Assurance is offered rest for the weary or the down-trodden, for gentleness is a source of relief amidst burden, that Jesus freely provides.

For Christ doesn’t require the washing of hands, cleaning cups and pots, or not associating with the Gentiles due to fear of contamination. For Jesus doesn’t require those things! Rather, when you take Christ’s yoke, Christ focuses on the inwardness of the heart. Jesus is gentle & humble in heart, not demanding these extensive works of the law, attempting to save ones self.

Contrasting from the high-demands of the law, rather to the grace of God, it could be compared when speaking with others. Don’t be so rigid, harsh. Rather be humble in heart, speaking softly, uplifting kindness.

Gentleness with Others

We’ve read this passage prior, but let’s read it again as a reminder as what we, as Christians, are called to do.

Colossians 3:12 ESV

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

As God’s chosen ones, let us “Put on.. Meekness”

Clothing ourselves with gentleness is a part of putting on a Christlike way of being. “Putting on..” is a daily, active reality we must decide each and every day. When we reflect compassion, meekness, and humility in our actions, it points to the love of Christ.

Next..

Titus 3:2 ESV

2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

There are numerous descriptors of a Christian provided here. However, I believe they are woven together.

For when being gentle:

“You won’t speak evil of no one…” This means degrading or putting another person down. Because we value the other person.

“Avoid quarreling…” This means that we aren’t just arguing to argue. The Greek states, “not being contentious but peaceful.” Being humble in heart, not having an attitude of a “know it all”.

“To be gentle and to show perfect courtesy toward all people..” This means that you are tolerant. Not always insisting every right letter of the law or custom, as the Greek states. And lastly, “showing perfect courtesy.”. That word for courtesy is the same word that Paul uses in Galatians for the Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness. Perfect rather defined as whole, every. Other translations define as “true courtesy”. How do we live that? By relying on the Spirit. Like Galatians 5:25 states, “walking in step with the Spirit”.

Now I understand. This message is certainly counter-cultural, especially for you all who face peer pressure to conform to being rough & aggressive behaviors. However, being gentle and humble, transform interactions, leading to respect and peace with others.

Next..

1 Peter 3:15–16 ESV

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Gentleness is essential in sharing the Gospel. We are called to be prepared to have an answer. When questions arise within your life, be able to present the Gospel, yet do it with gentleness and respect.

This is an example of Christ’s humility but also opens the hearts to the message of Jesus.

When someone yells at you, are you more inclined to actually listen? Or if someone is not berating, rather gentle and humble, in most cases you open up more and have a better conversation.

This passage explains that even in the face of opposition, we are called to answer with gentleness and respect. We as children of God, should desire our interactions to align with Christ’s approach to teaching and loving others.

Application:

Oftentimes, when we see a debate/argument, we often credit those are who are loud & aggressive to be one of strength. The Gospel says otherwise. The Gospel says that gentleness is not a weakness, yet strength and sign of being dwelt by the Spirit. Gentleness is controlled strength. Those with true gentleness, care about the receiver & value them above themselves.

Those of us who face the challenge of gentleness, oftentimes face the challenge of being harsh, as stated above. Let us be filled with the Spirit. For those who are gentle, understand:

the love of Christ

the joy God brings to our lives

the peace knowing that God is in control, no matter the situation.

the kindness, goodness, and faithfulness God displayed to us

So what gives us the right to be redactional and harsh. That’s what the world does. Let us be different, let us rely on Christ, and walk in the Spirit.

You wanna know something really sad? Most times in life, we are the most harsh and rude to our family, friends, people we are closest too. I’m guilty of it. I have a bad day at work, I come home, guess who get’s my harshness? Mckenna.

With that in mind, is there an area in your life where you can work on gentleness?

Or, is there someone in your life, you could be more gentle toward?